Some bright and beautiful, others just beautiful. Striking tile and backsplash designs from around the web.

I’m not usually a huge fan of of the framed tile “picture” behind the range, but I make an exception for this lovely monochromatic splash – beautiful yet restrained:

Painting a picture - photo Stuart McIntyre via kmldesign.dk

Exuberant geometric design and cool colors are perfect in this little Moroccan kitchen:

Moroccan style - Francoise Smilenko via Marie Claire Maison

This next splash violates one of my “rules” though (more on that here), in that there is no reason I can see for the tile to stop where it does. If there is no shelf or upper cabinet for it to die into, then for heavens sake add a piece of trim for punctuation. I just don’t like to see those poor truncated flowers left hanging, without their other half*

Bright and energetic - via Living, etc.

(*Period deliberately omitted in lame attempt to prove point)

Here’s a real beauty that’s been sitting in my inspiration files for a long time – now this is to me is art, not just a kitchen backsplash. Isn’t it fabulous that goes all the way up to the ceiling, not stopping at the hood as a more pedestrian splash might have done. If any of you out there can tell me who the creators are, I’d love to give them credit:

A work of art - via kitchenbathideas.com

Of course there are more ways to use tile than in the backsplash. This floor is made up of a random selection of cement encaustic tiles – how much fun is that?

Tile floor in a brasserie

And beyond walls and floors, you can even tile the coffers of your ceiling – certainly a striking way to introduce some color and pattern into the kitchen!

Welcome to Kitchen Clarity™

by Sarah Lloyd, aka ClarityK

I'm a real live kitchen and bath designer based in Los Altos, California. I have the best job in the world - making spaces that work hard and make you happy, every day™

On this blog I like to share some of the pleasures and perils of (mostly) kitchen and bath design as I encounter them in daily life and in my wanderings through cyberspace - and to have some fun along the way. Come along for the ride, and let's see what we discover!

Consultations

Yes, I do online consultations (and local ones of course) - whether you have a few questions or you need complete design services, call Sarah at 650 740 2148, or click and let's start talking today!

"We are very pleased with the new kitchen. Many thanks for your help in putting together the design, it really works well."

"I fixed the first dinner in the kitchen tonight and I love it. We couldn't have done it without you!"

"You really solved a big problem for us - the design consultation was invaluable"